Das Lametta translates to “the tinsel” in German, though it is actually a diminutive of the Italian word lama (“metal leaf”). Copper became scarce during World War I, so manufacturers around the world switched to lead-based tinsel. A retro photo of a woman and child admiring traditional Lametta on a Christmas tree. Grandpa always says how much better the tinsel on his Christmas tree was when he was a child. In 1972 tinsel made of lead was declared unsafe.

Source: The Local December 13, 2019 06:56 UTC